Supported by a six-run first inning and an improved outing by Josh Romanski, No. 19 San Diego topped Hawai'i, 6-1, last night in non-conference collegiate baseball.

The Rainbows (7-13) dropped their fourth in a row and fell to 0-9 against nationally ranked teams before 895 at Les Murakami Stadium.

The Toreros (14-7) jumped on UH starter Josh Schneider for six runs in the first, when they sent 10 batters to the plate. Schneider (2-1) lasted just two-thirds of an inning, allowing four hits and a walk. Three of the six runs he allowed were unearned.

"A senior going out there, walking and hitting the first two guys in a game we're trying to bounce back (from a three-game losing streak), I'll never understand," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "I cannot understand how he cannot be ready."

But Trapasso said was pleased with the pitchers who followed. Josh Slaats, Alex Capaul, Cory Kahn, Jayson Kramer, Cameron Wheeler and Sam Spangler tagged on 8 1/3 scoreless innings.

"I'm really proud of the rest of the guys," Trapasso said. "I'm really proud of our young guys (freshmen Slaats and Capaul), going up there, putting up zeros, and the job that Kahn and Kramer (did). Even Spangler throwing strikes, which he struggles doing.

"I don't know if we turned a corner on the mound, but they picked us up and they at least kept us within striking distance."

But Romanski (3-0), who entered the game with a 7.58 earned run average, made his early lead stand up. In seven innings, he allowed a run, four hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Darrin Campbell started the eighth, but gave up a single and walk and was quickly pulled for closer A.J. Griffin, who struck out the side in the eighth and tacked on a scoreless ninth.

"Josh has kind of been up and down, adjusting to being a two-way player," USD coach Rich Hill said. "We've been counting on him to be a huge part of our offense and defense. Last couple starts, he's really kicked it into gear and done a great job for us."

Kevin Muno led off the game with a walk, Sean Nicol was hit by a pitch and Victor Sanchez singled to load the bases. Romanski reached when first baseman Kevin Macdonald couldn't field a chopper, apparently losing the ball in the lights, allowing Muno to score and keep the bases filled.

Anthony Strazzara followed with a two-run single and Romanski stopped at second. Both advanced on James Meador's sacrifice. Romanski scored on Kevin Hansen's single that moved Strazzara to third. Logan Gelbrich's sacrifice fly made it 5-0 and Zach Walter's RBI single made it 6-0. After going 1-0 on Muno, the 10th batter of the inning, Schneider was lifted for Slaats, who retired Muno on a grounder to end the inning.

"That was the best inning of the year, by far," Hill said of his offense. "It's the best inning that I can remember we've had. Just the execution, great sac bunt, good sac fly. I thought Kevin (Muno) did a good job working the pitcher for the ball four count. Everything we worked on at practice came through in that inning."

The Rainbows pulled to 6-1 in the sixth. Sean Montplaisir led off with a walk and took third when Jon Hee chopped a single to left. Nate Young walked to load the bases, but Brandon Haislet popped out to second. Vinnie Catricala grounded to short for a force at second to score Montplaisir and put runners at the corners. But Jeff Van Doornum grounded out to short on a nice play by Sean Nicol to end the inning.

"I'm really disappointed with our effort offensively the last half-dozen games," Trapasso said. "I'm tired of hearing all the good arms and good teams we've been facing. What we haven't done is compete.

"Today I told our hitters we knew were going to have some issues, pitching-wise, with our young guys. We have guys who have hit in the past who aren't. They're too worried about their swing, too worried about their mechanics. But you know what? When the game starts, all that stuff is out the window. ... We have to get tougher that way."

NOTES: Fresno State, which opens a four-game Western Athletic Conference series against host Hawai'i tomorrow, has been reprimanded and head coach Mike Batesole has been suspended two games because of an incident against Indiana last Wednesday. Batesole will miss Fresno State's next two games, today at San Francisco and tomorrow against the Rainbows.

The incident occurred in the top of the eighth inning when players from both teams left their respective dugouts during an argument between Batesole and Indiana head coach Tracy Smith. "This was a situation that could have gotten out of control," said Karl Benson, Western Athletic Conference commissioner, "and I expect our coaches and student-athletes to act according to NCAA rules and the WAC Sportsmanship Code."

Said Batesole, "I respect the decision by Commissioner Benson and will serve the suspension. I felt that the umpires on the field, and subsequently the WAC office, handled this matter in an appropriate manner."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.